{Ed002's Note - Thanks, I’ll do a be but I am travelling right now and won’t be home for a week. I am going to call in to see my PA but I don’t know if she has anything set up in the office I am use. And Spurs come first.}

{Ed001's Note - I am holding out little to no hope of Lemar, but there are other options Klopp wants in that area, so it should be more like signing Salah instead of Brandt, rather than sitting tight and waiting for VVD.}

{Ed001's Note - I don't know mate. I think we can rule out 4 of the players Klopp would most like in January though - Pulisic, Goretzka, Keita and Lemar. None of them look likely to move in January, as things stand. Goretzka looks to have his heart set on Bayern, Pulisic wants to stay put for now, RBL won't let Keita move early and Monaco are just asking more than I believe we are willing to pay right now for Lemar.}

4.) 10 Jan 2018 05:49:21
Sorry I should rephrase who do you believe is the most probable we will get in .

{Ed001's Note - Pulisic is not interested in who he supports when it comes to his career. He is very well advised, has a sensible head on his shoulders and extremely supportive parents. Pulisic's thinking is about what is best for his career, I fail to see how anyone could think that would be a United side with a manager who is unlikely to last much longer. I am not sure whether or not we would be the best option for him either. I fully expect him to stay at Dortmund for another season and then assess things as the season unfolds.

You are right, those are two potential names, though Ed0333 believes Fekir will be moving to Arsenal. It really is impossible to do any more than speculate until the club acts.

The club will reassess after the window and then decide who are the targets for the summer mate. I expect the priorities to be keeper and right back then though myself, unless we fail to sign a midfielder now.}

6.) 10 Jan 2018 06:33:03
I think many Liverpool fans will be bitterly disappointed if there's no top notch midfielder coming in January.
Coutinho will be a massive loss and, if we were to subsequently go out of the CL earlier than may have been expected and fail to get top 4, there's £50 million down the swanny straight away.
Just pay the extra to bring Lemar if he will provide that midfield creativity that has been sadly lost with Coutinho's departure.
Otherwise it's the usual FSG tale of one step forward (VVD) followed by another backwards.

7.) 10 Jan 2018 06:49:30
Those 4 names we can pretty much rule out ed are the ones mentioned daily. Other options being Ceballos, Draxler. Or maybe an alternative not mentioned on here before. We just need to be carefull don't we not to buy an expensive 3rd or 4th choice option that is the wrong option.

8.) 10 Jan 2018 06:56:18
Juicer I wouldn't pin this on FSG at all. This is Klopp's decision, he decided to sell Coutinho and FSG backed him. If he decided to keep Coutinho until summer, they would have backed him. FSG wanted Klopp because they knew they could trust his judgment.

I watched a Vice Media documentary on Pulisic last night and the kid really, really impresses me, and so do his parents (especially his mum, what a MILF) . Pulisic made the hard decision to move to a country with a completely different culture and language and instead of moaning and complaining, he rolled his sleeves up and got on with it, instead of bitching and moaning because he probably realised how lucky he was to have that kind of opportunity. He comes across as a very grounded kid.

If I was a player, I wouldn't touch United with a ten-foot pole. I may sound biased but ever since Fergie retired they have IMO suffered from a vacuum of wisdom because they significantly relied on his wisdom when he controlled many aspects of their football operations, and they seem clueless without his full-time input; Woodward also seems like a bumbler. The biggest case in point has been their costly and underwhelming success in the transfer market since his retirement.

As for a January replacement, I can't remember the last time when it was such a mystery as to who Liverpool would bid for to fill a priority position.

11.) 10 Jan 2018 07:32:24
SG, if you think that there would have been a £75 million + hole in the FSG coffers for the VVD signing without a balancing Coutinho departure, well. that's up to you.
This is the regime, remember, that left us with just one first team striker for half a season before they struck lucky on Sturridge.
Except that the stakes have now gone up significantly.
This is not an anti-FSG rant, just that they have form when it comes to these things.
Klopp does't hold the purse strings.

12.) 10 Jan 2018 07:38:09
Out of interest Ed’s, looking at the dropped comment about united manager may be on way out soon, does what appears to be the stable and supported position Klopp has with the owners make it a bit easier to get players in. I know when retired players have been asked not knowing if the manager who signed you will still be there is a consideration for some.

13.) 10 Jan 2018 07:47:23
Juicer what I believe is what Ed001 says - VVD was going to be signed in the summer regardless of if Coutinho left or stayed. If Coutinho rejected Barcelona then we still would have shelled out the 60 odd million for VVD.

{Ed001's Note - you are correct SG, VVD has nothing to do with Couts.}

14.) 10 Jan 2018 08:03:33
This is also the 'regime' that's Paid vast sums for Salah mane lovren gini firmino Keita to name a few. I personally think they haven't done badly, and get an unfair rap from some fans.

16.) 10 Jan 2018 08:31:05
SG / Ed001, your point is redundant though in that became clear all along that Coutinho would depart. There was always going to be a balance of finances.
Which is fair enough, that's fine.
But FSG's reign has been characterised by huge inconsistency and losing your star man (and he was, not Salah or Mane) and not quickly replacing him would be just up their street.

18.) 10 Jan 2018 08:10:01
Ed 001
If Liverpool are to bring any players in a few that have caught my eye watching serie a
Milinkovic-Savic
He looks an unreal prospect potential to boss the midfield in the prem for next 8-10 years. I think this lad is mustard
Dries Mertens
Hard not to notice the lad he’s quick fast thinking has goals and assists in his game would be a real high quality addition to the team can also play various positions

19.) 10 Jan 2018 08:49:18
On FSG aswell people really are clueless when it comes to commenting on their ownership, unfortunately you have to look at the bigger picture of the tenure rather than simple cherry pick the bits that fit a point of view.

Keys elements here
1- saved us from going bust
2- improved the commercial deals
3- invested in the playing squad heavily
4- rebuilt the main stand
5 - grew the LFC brand and merchandising
6 - adopted a philosophy that allowed young players a path to the first team

20.) 10 Jan 2018 09:18:45
I would rather we wait until the summer if who we really want isn't available now. Pointless signing a stop gap just to appease the fans. Get behind the club and the manager, they know a lot better than you.

21.) 10 Jan 2018 09:29:41
Ed1, hope you don't mind me asking this question but you have suggested that the 4 'main' names are unlikely to come this month (although we know one of them is already coming at the end of the season - I'm guessing as Can's replacement) .

Say we sign one of the attainable players this month, do you still think we'll go back in for Lemar in the summer or does it depend on how well the aforementioned player does?

24.) 10 Jan 2018 09:48:20
So ed001, cheers for all the info.
just to clarify, you believe our summer priorities to be a keeper, right back and a 'coutinho replacement' if one isn't found in January? (Don't mean to use that term it's just hard to bracket him) With the view that we atleast sign a midfielder in January? If that's the case I'd say that's smart management, gradually building a top quality squad and not rushing it for the sake of it (our biggest downfall in recent years) it's a shame that luck isn't going our way in terms of players we want being available when we require them, but it's satisfying to know we're not then just blowing it on someone else, and actually waiting for the guy we want unless other options are good enough! cheers.

25.) 10 Jan 2018 10:05:08
I disagree withyou Juicer. Coutinho has never been our star player. It was Suarez when he joined, then we all spent most of the season praying Sturridge was fit, before Sterling stepped up to be our best player, and then when Sterling left Mane was signed and it is impossible to argue that he wasn't our best player last season because without him we were terrible, and then this season (i tend to disagree with Ed001 that Salah is our best player) Firmino has been our best player for me, despite Salah's goals taking all the plaudits.

Coutinho has always been inconsistent and possibly only our best player for a very brief spell in between Sterling leaving and Mane signing. Our squad was dreadful in that period though. Coutinho has always been one of our better players to be fair, and he scored goals in important games, but he wasn't our star player in my opinion. Just our most marketable because he did special things occasionally, that garnered a lot of attention.

{Ed001's Note - entirely unrealistic. Mertens is 30 (or thereabouts) and Napoli would still ask for 100m. Milinkovic-Savic is one of the top 10 midfielders in the world and would have the pick of anywhere he wants when he moves.}

27.) 10 Jan 2018 10:09:14
JC23 and Firmane
FSG have also tried to screw fans out of higher price ticket sales, brought in a poor transfer committee, they haven't invested heavily at all, most money spent has come from selling our top players, the kit deal was a bad one and rushed and the stand will pay for itself at some point.
Now if they build on Anfield Rd to increase capacity which would be for the fans as I read a while back the Eds said there's not room for corporate boxes so not much money will be made from it and maybe buy top class talent instead of potential and average players then they might catch a break, for me they are very hit and miss, ill leave it for this window and summer for them to show there ambition in the trans market.

{Ed001's Note - most money has come from loans from FSG, not selling our top players. If you understood football finance, you would realise that we actually see very little of the transfer fees received.}

28.) 10 Jan 2018 10:15:20
Regards to lemar don't you think it's worth just getting the player no matter the price like vvd though? Because if Arsenal get him this window people will go spare ha.

29.) 10 Jan 2018 10:54:16
The juicer, coutinho may have been our 'star player'' but a star player isn't necesseraly the best player, in my eyes the star of the team is the most well known for his qualities, On the other hand, the best player is who actually performs the best over a season, or however you bracket your timeline. Firmino is arguably our best player, but not our star player. yet.

30.) 10 Jan 2018 11:09:37
Not that I'm disagreeing with you MK, but you could argue that being the most marketable is exactly what being the star player is. Best player however, that's a different story. Adam Bogdan all the way.

Kit deal at the time was a leading deal if I remember correctly yes people had achieved better since but that's the way it goes we will look to do better on our next deal and that could be equal or better than other, then the games continues again.

The stand may pay for itself over time yes but who paid for it in the first place?

Ticket prices yes they did hike them and then reduced them and acknowledged the error, name another club that has done that when they have raised their ticket prices?

As Ed has pointed your view on the transfer spend is way off without FSG we would not be in a position to invest the monies we have/ do.

32.) 10 Jan 2018 12:55:08
JC23
The eds have said the kit deal was a poor one but also if we were doing better on the pitch we would get a bigger deal, most of the FSG money is loans so the money the club is getting from tv, sponsorship etc is paying back the loans I imagine? So FSG are putting money in but getting big interest back? Not sure if that sounds right Eds? Transfer fees are paid over time so like a bank its just all numbers that is rarely physically there, as I have said FSG have been hit and miss but as a club with ambition for big trophies it needs big players and we have been short of that when in the last 10 years we have only had 2 real teams capable of winning the prem and just as we faltered we got rid of our best players instead of building 08/ 09/ 10 was an unbelievable team, im hoping we can start to look at top level players an actually get them, its ok saying oh we tried for so and so but couldn't get him, im looking forward to seeing who we bring in and hope its not a case of we end with a low net spend as per, we have coutinho fee so should use that and then some, its ok saying monies from transfers don't work like that but without inside knowledge its how it looks to most fans, figures aren't just made up so they must be in the ball park of what gets reported, as for we wouldn't be in the position to spend money if it weren't for fsg isn't true, if they weren't asking ridiculous amounts for the club we could get a owner who would invest more, as I said many times before they are hit and miss but I don't think they have the means to take the club to the next level of City, Chelsea or PSG to say, we certainly have the fan base to rival these but not the finance.

{Ed001's Note - the 'eds' have said no such thing. Ed002 has said it is. Just Ed002. The kit deal is not the best in terms of money but it gives us much more exposure than adidas or Nike would have done.}

36.) 10 Jan 2018 08:26:21
Its a 'regime' that has also received vast sums from player sales Firmane, installed a transfer committee that recruited poorly and has also tried to screw fans for more ticket money, its been very hit and miss from the owners.

{Ed002's Note - The owners don't get the money from transfers. Where do you get these stupid ideas from?}

37.) 10 Jan 2018 17:32:34
Sorry, Lancaster. I must correct you there.

Regime needs no inverted commas. The comma goes before Firmane and a full stop goes afterwards, followed by a capital letter on the word 'installed'. Once again, there should be a full stop after the word 'money' and another capital letter on the word 'it's'. That being said, the content is awful too.

31 Dec 2017 02:05:04
Question for ed002 if I may. Do you reckon Liverpool will only sell Coutinho in January if they find a replacement in the same window? Or is there a possibility that he leaves and we will only replace him in the summer. Thank you in advance and I wish you a happy new year!

Valent

{Ed002's Note - As I repeatedly explain, I cannot sensibly an questions about timings. Just to be clear, Barcelona wanted the transfer of Coutinho sorted out by the end of November (for reasons I previously explained). They now have a st of alternatives that they will look toif Liverpool decide that they do noish to sell him - and they will return very soon to sort this out and find out exactly where they stand. Liverpool has a list of potential options to bring in and perhaps some might be available in January. The club has had plenty of time to sort this out and we can now really only wait and see.}

1.) 31 Dec 2017 11:53:30
Guillem balague sayin no action taken place between lfc an Barcelona he seems sort of be in the know.

2.) 31 Dec 2017 11:49:15
Sensible thing is too let him go in summer he playing very well rite now an it's disruptive too the harmony of our attack, best we sort the defence out, I am hearing a lot about akanji of Basel are we interested an how high is he regarded an also obviously we need a defence sniffing midfielder.

{Ed002's Note - Both Barcelona and Dortmund were interested in Manuel Akanji as cover and one for the future but see the asking price from Basel, who will not negotiate, as far too high. Whilst Akanji has been watched by Spurs, they are in no rush and are looking at other young CBs with potential - the same is true of Liverpool who have looked at others as well - so no more than an expensive maybe just now - and one who would critically take up a squad place. RBL has also looked at him and have concluded he is not ready and expensive - seen is a possible Dayot Upamecano replacement.}

3.) 31 Dec 2017 12:30:02
Why is it everyone is so accepting of Barca's behavior in these situations? Yes the player wants to go, yes his agent is doing a lot of the running, but seeing the constant leaks to the press and open discussions about signing him feels pretty objectionable.

I know we have not covered ourselves in glory in recent transfer windows but we have also been dragged through the coals for it, not least on these pages. Why is it that Barcelona and Real seem to be beyond reproach in relation The their behavior.

{Ed002's Note - I don't know why you think the potential transfer of Coutinho has anything to do with Real Madrid. And nobody is aware of any wrongdoing by Barcelona. They are certainly one of the clubs that will utilise the press - that is unprofessional but not strictly against the rules. They met with Liverpool and made offers in the summer - and then again in London in November. Since then there have been meetings with the owners of the club and various others representating the player and Barcelona. All above board.}

4.) 31 Dec 2017 12:46:46
Selling Coutinho half way through the season without a replacement would be totally irresponsible in my opinion. If Barcelona want him tell them they can have him in the summer end of discussion.

{Ed002's Note - But of course you expect Liverpool to be buying half way through the season?}

5.) 31 Dec 2017 13:04:19
It’s only irresponsible if no replacement is brought in. If a suitable quality replacement is brought in then it’s fine. Obviously it would be less disruptive to our champions league ambitions not to lose Coutinho.

6.) 31 Dec 2017 13:29:44
Ed according to both FIFA and uefa, players of a club publicly commenting on or courting another clubs player without consent, is constituted as an illegal approach, both Suarez and paulinho have done so in last 2 weeks, paulinho esp with his house hunting comments, I suspect if the shoe was on the other foot we'd see more harsh comments on here.

{Ed002's Note - As I have explained before FIFA, UEFA and other authorities cannot control players and other employees of clubs answering questions in interviews and everyone accepts it. You're point about the shoe being on the other foot is stupid given that a number of employees of Liverpool discussed van Dijk in public. You need to stop trying to deflect - it is embarrassing.}

7.) 31 Dec 2017 14:22:09
What is everyone's view on lanzini jus out of curiosity he linked again if coutihno leaves I think he does have qaulity an could play in champions league.

8.) 31 Dec 2017 14:23:13
HAILSTONES,
guillem balague knows about as much as me or u, he thinks he’s in the know on all things Spanish but he’s not, he’s just like every other pundit there full of bull.

9.) 31 Dec 2017 14:29:50
Hailstones, Lanzini is a very ordinary player at best, certainly not capable of being a replacement for a world class footballer, which Coutinho plainly is right now. We need to replace top quality with top quality.

10.) 31 Dec 2017 16:02:13
Ok mate sound as I said I do believe he has quality but I don't watch enough of him too know how much, an too wembley78 if u read wat I said he is sort of in the know also he knows a lot more than me an u as he in the media on TV an he is Spanish so that's his roots.

13.) 01 Jan 2018 11:34:09
Klopp and lfc were rightly slated on here for their unacceptable behavior in the vvd debacle last summer, but yet we've Barcelona players continously court and make comments about a lfc player in public and in the media, one player announcing he's house hunting already, now we've Nike advertising coutinho jerseys on the Barcelona official web site.

I've checked up the laws and all these are illegal and even if there is talks ongoing it at the very least is a total lack of respect and abs disgusting, but the silence on here and in general is deafening, imaging lfc advertising vvd jerseys on their website last summer, what would be said?

3.) 31 Aug 2017 19:09:52
Selling Cou w/ o a replacement would be completely stupid and that, would b a disaster. VVD not coming is not as many of us knew that Saints would NEVER sell to us so don't know why many were hoping for a miracle here.

19 Jul 2017 09:19:46
Hi ed002 a question for you if you're around. I've seen a german journo reporting that Mateschitz (RBL owner) has come out and said they have recently turned down a 75 million euro offer for Keita. Could you please confirm this? Thank you.

Valent

{Ed002's Note - Yes, they have rejected such an offer and again re-iterated their position.}

28 Dec 2018 19:03:45
Question for ed001 please. What will happen to Milner in the summer in your opinion? I reckon Klopp would want him to stay but he might want to play regularly at his age especially if Leeds make the prem.

Valent

{Ed001's Note - Klopp has already told him he wants Milner to stay. It is up to him but I think he will fancy a return to Leeds if they get promotion as well.}

1.) 28 Dec 2018 20:53:53
Thank you for the swift response. Would be a shame to lose him. Will be hard to replace him on and off the pitch.

27 Apr 2018 11:16:29
Ed002 please continue to provide transfer updates for us. You are literally the only reason I visit the site. Every time there is a rumour I am sceptical until you confirm it. I believe I am speaking for 99% of the posters here when I say we are eternally grateful for the insight and info you have provided down the years and it would be an enormous loss if you stopped. Please do not let a couple of idiots ruin this wonderful site. We greatly appreciate your contribution!

Valent

{Ed002's Note - It has become too difficult. I am sure the other Eds will help you out.}

1.) 27 Apr 2018 13:34:05
Has something happened again? Anyways am sure this will ease like all the other times. Lookin forward to stoke!

2.) 27 Apr 2018 14:04:53
Maybe something to do with the Gerrard to Rangers thread? I went to bed around the time it was posted but I see it's now been deleted so it probably went down like a dumpster fire with abuse slung at ed002 for merely stating the truth.

3.) 27 Apr 2018 14:27:24
Ed put his opinion out there of Gerrard and a few numpties took offense and clearly knarked ed002 off to a point where he doesn't feel he wants to contribute to our site for a while.

I think it was the tone of the reply which some people found offensive. You would not expect the Eds to call someone a 'c. ksucking' on this site.
That is all I can gather which would have taken some people aback.

17 Apr 2018 15:50:40
Question for ed002 if I may. Have Liverpool shown any interest in de Ligt? Thank you in advance.

Valent

{Ed002's Note - Please stop with these random questions about players. There is no Liverpool interest in de Ligt. There is a lot of interest from elsewhere and ongoing discussions with clubs, but it does not involve Liverpool in any way or form.}

27 Mar 2018 01:03:34
Gomez is out for a month. Against City I'd rather start Milner over TAA. We need experience and I don't trust him yet to not make mistakes vs the likes of Sane.

Valent

{Ed0333's Note - It’s a real shame for Gomez and our loss will be Man City’s gain. I would go with TAA against City as he’s been playing right back regularly and Milner will need to acclimatize to that position and we can’t give City any advantage in an already tough game.

1.) 27 Mar 2018 07:50:33
I’d go Milner in this one because of his experience. He’s at the very least competent in that position and experienced.

2.) 27 Mar 2018 08:26:58
How is Milner competent at RB? I don"t remember seeing him start in that position ever for LFC. TAA will likely play all 3 games against City and Everton. In case of burnout, Clyne's there to fill in.

4.) 27 Mar 2018 08:49:41
It's a loss in that we cannot rest Trent now and Gomez loses a chance for some more game time, but as I would have always started Trent over Gomez at RB in these games and then let him have a breather once we're past the City games (for better or for worse) then it's not the worst hit.

5.) 27 Mar 2018 08:17:58
Great confidence that'd be for TAA. He's been swapping all season with Gomez, Gomez gets injured and he gets replaced by someone who hasn't played there in years. Yea thanks Gaffer! No, stick with him. He's Played his part in getting us there. They will, no doubt, have been working on City and Sane and at least Trent will be able to keep up with him! Plus, safe to say, it's unlikely Pep is going down the long ball route!

9.) 27 Mar 2018 11:42:32
Wow, no wonder we collapsed. Our defence was so leaky before van dyke turned up. It's amazing how much he has influenced our team. Its his reading of the game and his organisation. No one can get past him either.

We have to come out blazing in that first game. Shoot at the kop first half and get a 2/ 3 goal lead and then cling on for 135 minutes.

We have to do the same at Everton, send the big boys to get a lead and then rest salah and Firmino and Hendo at half time. Ing will score in the second half too.